Facility Overview
The Illinois Tollway M-2 Parking Lot is an open-air surface facility located on Hawthorne Street in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority\'s Maintenance Site M-2 and operational annex. Positioned adjacent to the busy Tri-State Tollway (I-294) corridor in DuPage County, this lot accommodates facility personnel, service contractors, official agency visitors, and authorized regional traffic. Because it is an unobstructed open surface parking area, there are no low-clearance vertical restrictions, making it thoroughly suitable for standard passenger vehicles, light trucks, high-roof cargo vans, utility utility vehicles, and heavy-duty fleet trucks.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically situated on the eastern boundary of Elmhurst near Berkeley and Hillside, this facility offers swift proximity to key regional venues and commercial hubs:
- Downtown Elmhurst & City Centre: Located approximately 2.5 miles northwest, featuring boutique shops, local eateries, the Elmhurst History Museum, and the York Theatre.
- Elmhurst University: Situated roughly 3 miles away, convenient for academic, cultural, and athletic visitors.
- Oakbrook Center: A premier outdoor shopping and dining destination located just 3 miles southwest down Butterfield Road and 22nd Street.
- Eldridge Park & Salt Creek Greenway Trail: Nearby community recreation and regional multi-use biking and walking paths located within a 5-to-10-minute drive.
- Hillside & Westchester Business Corridors: Immediate access to surrounding corporate parks, logistics centers, and freight corridors along I-290 and I-294.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Drivers can access the lot directly from Hawthorne Street via regional thoroughfares such as Butterfield Road (Route 56), St. Charles Road, and Roosevelt Road (Route 38). Its position right along the junction of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) provides immediate access across greater Chicagoland, O\'Hare International Airport, and downtown Chicago. Commuters connecting to public transit can reach the Elmhurst Metra Station (Union Pacific West Line) approximately 10 minutes away by car or rideshare, offering direct rail transit straight into Chicago OTC.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Paved, open-air surface parking layout with clear bay striping and wide access aisles.
- No overhead vehicle clearance height restrictions, accommodating high-profile commercial and service vehicles.
- Perimeter security fencing and commercial outdoor floodlighting for improved nighttime visibility and safety.
- Dedicated stalls for designated official agency use and ADA-accessible vehicles.
- Direct highway artery proximity for swift entry and departure outside of municipal bottleneck zones.
Ideal For
- Official visitors, state inspectors, and contractors conducting business at the Illinois Tollway M-2 site.
- Agency personnel, logistics teams, and road-service maintenance staff.
- Motorists and utility crews requiring convenient, direct staging access to the I-294 and I-290 highway interchange.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Before planning your visit, ensure your appointment or destination at the maintenance depot is pre-arranged, as portions of the grounds may be restricted to authorized Illinois State Toll Highway Authority personnel and marked service vehicles. Always observe on-site signage, do not block designated equipment lanes or gate aprons, and utilize GPS navigation set directly to Hawthorne Street to avoid missing turns near highway overpasses.
